Xbox Living

My Xbox 360 died last week.  That is… my third Xbox 360 died last week.  Super.

I’ve been through the repair process with Microsoft twice.  My first Xbox 360 stopped working about six months or so after I got it — it stopped reading discs properly.  A year later, the refurbished one they sent me fell to the notorious red ring of death.

The replacement lasted about a year as well: Last week, my Xbox 360 stopped reading discs.  It just spins, grinds loudly, and gives up.  So again, I’ll just have to send it back to Microsoft and they’ll repl… wait a sec — my warranty is over.  That leaves two options: send it in again and pay for the repairs (ugh), or buy a new one.

My new Xbox 360 is a brand new Elite model, which, in theory, should have a newer motherboard in it that’s less prone to the red-ring, and perhaps other hardware problems.  It also has more storage space, which I was wanting.

Now, with as many hardware failures as I’ve had, the hidden third option did cross my mind: Should I give up on the Xbox 360?  Obviously, I decided against the notion, but there was a time where I, briefly, considered using the money on a PS3 instead, or to make some gaming-related upgrades to my PC.

But I really like the Xbox best.  The PS3 has a weak library and even weaker online play, and I’m not a PC gamer.  The PC crowd may think me noobish, but I much prefer to play games from my living room couch.  (I spend enough time at a desk when I’m working.)

So another Xbox 360 it is.  Let’s just hope that the fourth time’s a charm.

A little while ago, I mentioned that the Xbox 360 would be getting a motion-sensing Wii-style controller.

But even before word of Microsoft’s remote surfaced, another device was being introduced.  Motus Games has been working on their new controller: Darwin.  The device is described by Motus as the natural evolution of controllers, following what Nintendo started with the Wii.

Darwin will offer superior motion-sensing to the Wii, giving greater freedom with more range of movement and no reliance on an infared sensor.  The device segments into two components for different gameplay styles.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is supposedly still working on its device, which is code-named “Newton”.  A rumour has popped up today that Darwin is the new Xbox 360 remote (although it’s also due to be released for the PC and PS3), but that’s probably speculation.

Check out these videos, in which the Darwin remote is used to play Lego Star Wars and Tiger Woods PGA Tour.  Lightsaber action and real golf swings?  Sign me up.

MTV has reported that a new controller has been in the works for the Xbox 360 — a Microsoft version of the Nintendo Wii controller (or Wii-mote).

Microsoft-owned studio Rare is reportedly behind the controller. Like the Wii-mote, the Microsoft controller will feature motion sensing and pointing abilities. The controller will use an analog stick rather than a D-pad, says MTV.

Reportedly, the controller has been in the works since last summer. It wouldn’t surprise me if there were plans on the table well before that. Peter Moore, who was then a Microsoft VP, hinted at the prospect of a new Xbox 360 controller back in the Summer of 2006.

I can only imagine what an Xbox 360 version of the Wii-mote would look like… but here’s a stab at it:

Ok, they did provide a sketch in the article, but I like mine better.

If it’s real, the controller could be aimed at attracting developers of Wii games by making it easier to port Wii games to the Xbox 360.

Of course, Microsoft’s (probably wise) policy of declining to comment on rumors means that we won’t have confirmation until they decide to announce the hardware — assuming its real, and they take it to market.

This is the kind of thing I would have assumed to be an April Fool’s gag, had it not been a little late. It’s a bit hard to believe that Microsoft would go for something so blatant — the sketch isn’t much different than my mockup. I can’t imagine them not getting sued if they do this, but then again — they are Microsoft. We’ll have to wait and see if MTV’s “source” is credible.